plate no. 1539

Levitation

oilSurrealismsymbolic paintingfigureswaterrocksskylandscape

some experience helpful

Recreating this painting will help students develop skills in figure drawing, blending colors to create smooth transitions, and creating a sense of depth through atmospheric perspective.

technical profile

palette complexity

brushwork visibility

value contrast

compositional simplicity

study guide

est. 12 hrs

approach — 8 steps

step 01
Sketch the basic composition, including the figures, rocks, and distant arch.
step 02
Block in the sky and water with broad strokes, establishing the overall color scheme.
step 03
Roughly define the shapes of the rocks and cliffs, paying attention to their forms.
step 04
Begin to add details to the figures, focusing on the anatomy and proportions.
step 05
Develop the hair of the figures, creating a sense of movement and flow.
step 06
Refine the details of the rocks and cliffs, adding texture and highlights.
step 07
Blend the colors in the water to create smooth transitions and reflections.
step 08
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the depth and realism of the painting.

color palette

primary · cerulean blue · titanium white · yellow ochre · raw umber

secondary · cadmium orange · alizarin crimson

Mix blues and whites for the sky and water, adding small amounts of yellow ochre or raw umber to create variations in tone. Use orange and umber for the rocks, and mix flesh tones with white, red, and yellow.

techniques